Clashes break out between Iraqi, Kurdish troops in disputed region

Erbil (IraqiNews.com) Clashes broke out between Iraqi and Kurdish troops in the disputed region between Erbil and Baghdad, Kurdish media reported on Monday.

Iraqi army and al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) accessed Fekaka village, in Qurret Tabah region, for the first time since 2014, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan media channels said.

The Kurdish troops deployed in the village, according to the reports, were engaged in clashes with Iraqi troops, however, the tensions eased later. It was revealed later that Iraqi troops arrived to arrest two suspects.

The suspects were then arrested and taken out of the village, the reports added.

Baghdad had declared intentions to retake areas disputed on with Erbil following the Kurdistan Region’s vote for independence from Iraq in September, urging Peshmerga to cooperate with federal troops.

Iraqi government forces approached the southern borders of Erbil, capital of semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region, shortly after engaging in clashes with the region’s forces in northern Kirkuk in October.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi modified his speech on Sunday, offering congratulations to the Kurdish troops of Peshmerga over victory against Islamic State.

This came after Abadi was highly was highly slammed by official authorities and figures in Kurdistan for ignoring the role of Peshmerga during anti-IS war at his speech on Saturday, when he named all of the Iraqi troops to offer congratulations without mentioning the Peshmerga.

One Comment

US continues to support Kurdish aspirations to divide Iraq and create Kurdish state that will
seize oil resources. US intentions have been exposed by Russian intervention in Syria. And
in Syria, Russia has destroyed US created ISIS terrorist organization, in Iraq ISIS continues to
kill even though US says it is fighting the terrorist group. US is a liar.